Trip to Corpus Christi

So my parents decided (with prodding from Nathan) to pay for us to go to Corpus Christi with them for the weekend. It is all because my mom has this picture of Jonny and David in Yachats Oregon walking along some rocks next to the ocean. His latest thing to say is, "I want to walk in the Ocean." My parents response was always, "Ask you mom and dad." They of course knew that it was financially not possible, so took it upon themselves to make his little dreams come true, at least as much of an Ocean the gulf of Mexico can be. It is not the pacific, that's for sure.

So, we left Saturday morning and drove 2 hours to meet my parents at the aquarium. We had a good time touching sting rays and holding crabs.

Caden liked the animals, really he did.

Nathan never actually touched it, but he liked to get as close as he dared before pulling back and squeeling.

Scott even got in on the action.

David, Jonny and Nathan

This was the creepiest little crab. He kepot trying to pinch me. I am so used to them hiding in their shells, but this one was a little bit too friendly.

Cader (his latest nickname) had a grand time walking around.

Or, being carried by his dad. He still is not very comfortable with anyone else, especially when he doesn't get his nap.

Nathan, however, wants nothing to do with his own family when Uncles and grandparents are around.


My parents were so nice and got us a room at a four star hotel. The omni right on the Corpus Christi bay. They also got a room at the Omni, but wierdly enough it was a hotel two blocks from ours. We were sad we weren't in the same building, but it gave my family some time away from the babies for a bit.


I should know better than to lay on the floor when there are children around... active, jumpy children who love to pounce!

Nathan loved having new and exciting places to drive his cars.


We all really enjoyed the view. Sunday morning we even saw two Dolphins playing. It was my first trip to the Ocean ever seeing wildlife. I'm glad it was Dolphins.



Unfortunately Saturday night there was a huge thunderstorm and both boys ended up in bed with us. We didn't sleep well at all. And after a day with no naps all ready the kids were CRANKY! The parents might have been as well.


Saturday afternoon we made Nathan's dreams come true... well, sort of. He actually was walking in Corpus Christi bay, but it came from the ocean, had waves and you couldn't see across it. Plus it was a good place for my scardy cat children to get used to the sound of waves crashing, not nearly as loud as the Ocean beaches.

Nathan eventually came out with one of us holding him, and even let us get him wet. He had a fabulous time.

Caden on the other hand, hated the water, and at first hated the sand on his feet.

Eventually both boys had fun playing in the sane, Caden even getting to eat some of it.

Caden loves anything with handles. For a while it was a little toy hammer, now he still carries around his shovel.

Daddy and Cader having fun building castles.




Grandma eventually took over and Scott, David, Jonny and me took a ball out and played "Monkey in the Middle." That was when we spotted the jellyfish... with Jonny's arm. We actually counted 8 in one small area. We moved out of their way and continued playing until Scott decided to pelt Jonny in a very sensetive area. Then a jelly fish got the back of Scott's leg, and thus ended our day in the water... well, mine and Jonny's. Granpa, Scott and David didn't let the jellyfish keep them out of the water. But I started seeing them everywhere!



We still had fun burying Uncle Jonny in the sand though!

Caden eventually had to get in the water to get unsandified. He didn't care for it much.


Nathan, my child who is terrified of water, is getting much better. Hearing the Michael Phelps wouldn't put his head underwater either gives me hope that someday my boy might swim.

If only Cade's eyes were open, this would be a great picture!

Our attempts at a family portrait!

Have I ever told you how friendly Nathan is? Well let me tell you now. It is not to just anyone, no. My son finds the prettiest girl around and promptly plops down next to here exclaiming he is, "five years old" and striking up a conversation of his many accomplishments. Well we were shocked when he suddenly got down from his chair at our table and turned and sat next to Andrea, a sweet twenty something having dinner with her parents. The three of them waved us off and kept Nathan entertained until their food arrived, a good 15 minutes at least. I finally went over to relieve them and ended up starting up a convorsation with them myself. The mom explained how she had a little boy die at birth about five years before and they loved seeing boys and thinking of what their own little guy would be like. Of course I told them about my own loss and we talked about how each of us has healed. It was a truly inspiring moment for me, I love meeting people who have shared similar experiences and discussing the different ways we've each learned to cope. They asked if they could take pictures with Nathan, so of course I agreed and grabbed my own camera. What a blessing Nathan has been in our lives! He is such a sweet and social little boy and truly delights us! He is my darling baby!

Scott decided we wanted proof of how unruly Nathan was in the hotel. Here he is jumping on the bed... again!




On Sunday we drove down to South Padre Island

I had grand visions of doing a family picture while we were there, unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate and it had to be postponed.

Here is Nathan, he is supposed to be cleaning up his toys....

The silly boys decided that despite the rain they were going to play in the real Ocean... and chase birds.


We had a good time! Thanks mom and dad!

Trip to SLC and Reno

So I figured I had better put at least a couple pictures on here of my own babies. This is Caden a couple days after his birthday. He likes balloons! He also took his first two steps on his birthday and is now a walking pro! Okay, more like a toddling pro. He still falls down quite a bit, but can make it across at least one room.

Nathan hates to take pictures now, so this is the only one I was able to snap. He likes the no pants look, It is not my favorite, but oh well.

Now for my trip. As you saw from the previous post my Aunt Lezlie passed away. She was the oldest sibling and my Dad is the youngest. My cousin Marianne and I thought it would be great if I could go to the funeral, and decided to make it happen. Marianne ended up using her own frequent flier miles to fly me to SLC. From there we borrowed her Dad's car (Thanks again Uncle Jon!) and drove the 7 hours to Reno, NV for the funeral and then back. It was a short, fun, exhausting trip. I left the kids with Scott and some friends watched them Friday while he was at work. Then of course Caden ended up throwing up on Sunday so Scott took Monday off work. I left Thursday night and came home Monday Night.

My Dad and Mali Su. Mali Su is my cousin Jane's daughter. We figured it out and she is my first cousin once removed.

Slade and Mali Su. Slade is my cousin Jared's daughter.

This is my darling cousin Carley (14). She is the same age as my youngest brother. I remember when she was born. It was such a wonderful surprise to the whole family. My Aunt Lezlie was 45 years old, and diagnosed with cancer when Carley was 5. Everyone is worried about Carley, but she is such a strong young woman, and so much like her Mom, I know she will be okay.

This is my cousin Kurt with his niece Mali Su. He flew in just for the funeral. We were so happy to see him, but so sad to miss seeing Amy and the kids!

Joelle and Carley. Joelle (15) is my cousin Jason's daughter, and Carley's niece. Hehe. Typical Mormon family, with the niece older than the Aunt.

Me and Marianne.

This is my cousin Jason his wife, Jennifer and their family.
From back left: Westley, Jason, Jennifer and Joelle
Front Left: Naomi, Celestial, Jonny and Doug

My cousin Laney (Aunt Lezlie's oldest daughter) and her sister-in-law Sarah (My cousin Brett's wife)

Brett and Sarah

Jessie (Cousin), Sunni, Chad (Uncle) and Linsay (Cousin)

Me, Aunt Margaret, Marianne, Linsay and Dad

Jessie, Uncle Lance, Laney, Aunt Dana, Uncle Clyde (Aunt Lezlie's Husband), Aunt Lark and Uncle Chad. There are six siblings in this family and then Aunt Dana is a sibling from my Aunt Lezlie's Dad's side. It can get very confusing, but we have all been raised that family is family, despite the relation. Anyway, it goes Aunt Lezlie, Uncle Chad, Uncle Jon (I think), Uncle Lance, Aunt Lark, My Dad (James). I think Aunt Dana is about the same age as Aunt Lark, but I am not sure.

This is Caroline, Aimi Lark, Jake (cousin), and Mali Su.
Funny story. My Mom and Dad were actually hooked up by my Aunt Lark, Jake's mom. My Mom and I were living in her ward in SoCal and my Dad came down to visit his sister. I almost ruined it, being sick that specific evening and being a toal Mama's girl when I was. My Grandparents agreed to watch me when I went to sleep and my Mom went off to meet Lark's brother at the single's dance. What is even more funny (embarrassing?) is that Jake and I were boyfriend/girlfriend. I was three and he was four. We even went on a double date with my Mom and Dad before they were married to Disneyland. If that weren't bad enough, my Aunt Lark and Uncle Bill have video of me and Jake kissing in the dog house.
After we became cousins Jake and I have stayed close, but as you can see we ditched the whole kissing cousins thing and he found a beautiful wife!

Uncle Clyde explaining to Uncle Chad how not to kill himself on his bike. Luckily, Uncle Chad did come home in one piece.

Aunt Lark and Aunt Dana.

Carley was up at girl's camp when her Mom passed away. Uncle Clyde and Aunt Lezlie had told her that this was most likely going to happen and urged her to go anyway. Uncle Clyde did go up the evening she passed to let her know. She stayed at camp and ended up having a good time despite everything. Carley, Marianne, Joelle, Melinda, Vanessa and I had such a good time sitting around the living room and comparing girl's camp songs and stories. My Dad was there too, but declined to participate, although he did say it was humorous to watch us.

This is Melinda, she is the sister of my cousin Jared's wife, Vanessa (get that? She is not related to me). Since she has come to a family gathering now, we have proclaimed her an honorary family member. And what a great addition we have too!

Siblings, Brett, Laney and Jared. Aunt Lezlie's kids go Jason (41), Jared (38?), Laney (33), Brett (24), Carley (14). There was also another boy, Justin between Laney and Brett who died after complications from drowning. I think that is when I cried the most. I was so happy that Aunt Lezlie was reunited with Justin.

Melinda broke out her guitar and played and sang beautifully.

Jonny and Doug, Jason's kids.

Vanessa and Melinda

Me, Marianne and Laney

Jake, Me and Marianne

All the cousins who were there except for Kurt, Jessie and Linsay who had to leave right after the funeral.
Back left: Jared, Marianne, Carley and Brett
Front left: Jake, Me, Jason and Laney

All the cousins and the spouses who came.
Jake, Brett, Jason and Jared
Caroline, Sarah, Jennifer, Vanessa
Laney, Me, Marianne and Carley
My Scott couldn't make it and neither could Marianne's hubby Bret.


We drove back to SLC from Reno Saturday eveing getting home about 4am. Sunday I spent visiting as much family as I could. I didn't get to see my cousins Mike or Kris (Marianne's brothers) or my Uncle Jon or Aunt Beverly. I also wanted to see some friends, but had to prioritize. Sorry everyone I missed! You'll be first priority next round!

I was so excited to meet my cousin Nate's two boys. This is Erik.

Nate is Marianne's oldest brother. Nate and Erik

Cloe, Nate's wife and Griffon.

This is my newest cousin, Michelle. She is my Aunt Beverly's daughter. Aunt Bev and Uncle Jon were married five and a half years ago. I had such a good time having lunch and then shopping with her. Thanks for entertaining me Michelle!

She new she could hula hoop on Wii fit, but could she do it in real life? Yup!

That evening I spent with Scott's brother's family. This is little Arden, born two weeks after Caden chowing down on some Mac'n'cheese.

Jake was born just 10 weeks before Ethan was. He will be five this December.

Ryan and Bonnie took me up to see Scott's Grandma's. This is Grandma McKee (aka Wallin). She is such an awesome lady. It was a bitter sweet reunion. It was so good to see her, but she isn't doing very well. She was sad that I didn't bring Scott or the boys, and I am worried they won't get to see her again. Although she wasn't doing as well she is still the spunky lady she was before. She was talking about something and said, "It kicked me in the butt." It was just so funny to here tyhat coming out of her mouth.

Bonnie, Ryan, Arden, Jake and Grandma.

This is Grandma Nelson. She was doing better than I remembered. She was so funny and so full of life. Her and Grandma McKee have been friends ever since their kids got married, often going to lunch together. They go to lunch almost everyday now since they live in the same assisted living center.

Ryan, Arden, Grandma and Jake

In Memory

My Aunt Lezlie passed away early yesterday morning. She is 60 years old and my Dad's oldest sibling. She spent the last ten years battling breast cancer. She was a wonderful lady. She had six children, and (I think) 11 grand children, and a few great grand children. Her Mom, my Grandma Neville, was an amazing example to all of the family. She taught that family was family, despite blood. I always thought it was so incredible that Grandma gave me an heirloom ring from her side of the family when she is actually my step Dad's step Mom. It never mattered. I was just her Granddaughter. My Dad and Aunt Lezlie both had a step child, and they passed on what they learned from their Mom to their children. Jason, Lezlie's oldest (step) son married a woman with children from a previous marriage and has been a wonderful step Father to them. I know Lezlie thought of Jason as her own and raised him as such. She also had Jared, Lanie, Brett and little Carly. Carly is, we believe, the reason she hung on for so many years. Carly was a surprise to my Aunt and Uncle when my Aunt was 45 years old. She is 15 years old now and such a spunky young woman. I know it will be hard on her, but she is so tenacious, she will make it no problem.

My Aunt had another son as well. Her little boy almost drowned and suffered severe brain damage. He died a couple of years later due to complications from nearly drowning. I know it was such a different experience than my own, but I felt a connection with her knowing we had both lost a child.

My Aunt will be sorely missed. She was a big part of trying to hold this family together since my Grandma passed on three and a half years ago. It is really falling on the cousins to do it now.

Anyway, I am even more blessed to be part of such a wonderful family. My cousin is using her frequent flier miles to fly me to SLC and then we will drive to Reno, NV for the funeral. I am so sad that it is taking a funeral to get us back together, but I am so excited to see my family. I am also going to get a day to see Scott's Brother and family and hopefully Scott's Grandma's. I am also going without children. I am looking forward to the break, but worried because I have never been away from them for so long. I fly out Thursday night and I will be back Monday afternoon. So, if you don't see me around you'll know why.